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LIGHTS ON THE WAY 



OR 



HELPS FOR YOUNG CHRISTIANS, 



BY 



REV. J. R. BROWN, D.D. 
So run that ye may obtain.— 1 Cor. ix. 24. 



Second Edition. 



&*; 



ST. LOUIS, MO 

ST. LOUIS OBSERVER PRLNT, 

1885. 




-GfeSE 



31 



5 



COPYRIGHT. 




CH RISTI ANS , 

STRIVING FOR A MORE COMPLETE MASTERY 

OYER SIN, FOR GREATER LIGHT AND 

COMFORT IN THEIR RELIGIOUS 

LIFE AND EXPERIENCE, 

THIS XjITTZDIE book: 

IS 

AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED. 



I 






PREFACE 



The value of a book does not depend upon the 
amount, so much as upon what it contains. With the 
majority of persons, the type and appearance of a 
book have much to do with the reading. 

The design of this book is to present, in condensed 
form, but in good style and easy reading, some of 
the plain, practical truths necessary for all Christians 
to have at hand. Books of this class are not very 
numerous, and are usually in small type and inferior 
binding, and are soon hid away, while the parlor 
table is covered with well-bound trash. 

First as a young Christian, then as a pastor, the 
writer felt the need of a book of small cost and safe 
instruction, to put into the hands of those beset with 
doubts and temptations. As a help to church mem- 
bers, for the use of pastors and others who may wish 
to put such a book into the hands of a friend, this 
work is sent forth, with the confident belief that it 
will help and strengthen all who will attentively read it. 

J. R. B. 





~eSt 



CONTENTS 



PAGE. 

Finding the Way 9 

Starting Out 33 

In the Shadows 61 

The Pleasures of Sin 87 

The Doctrines 113 

Life in the Hymns 135 






-m 



^ 



O Saviour, 1 am blind! 

Lead thou my way: 
Day to my filmed eye is dark — 
Even night is only darker day; 

Oh! I am blind, 

Dear Saviour, I am blind! 

O Saviour, I am deaf! 

Unstop my ear: 
My heart would turn to thy dear voice, 
The voice thy sheep alone will hear; 

Oh! I am deaf, 

Dear Saviour, I am deaf ! 

O Saviour, I am poor! 

Give me to eat : 
My hungered heart loathes earthly food, 
And heavenly manna craves for meat ; 

Oh! I am poor, 

Dear Saviour, I am poor! 

— S. S. Cutting. 






-©)©£ 




FINDING THE WAY, 
1 ' Come unto me." 

"Except a man be born again, he 
cannot see the kingdom of God. . . . 
Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye 
must be born again." 

Such was the bold and emphatic 
declaration of the Saviour to Nicode- 
mus, and it comes with equal force 
to every man and woman. Some great 
change must, therefore, take place in 
every person who enters the king- 
dom of God. This change the Sav- 
iour speaks of as a new birth. This 
change, which turns all who experi- 
ence it from being enemies of God to 
friends, which makes them children 

11 




3©9- 



FUSTDING THE WAY. 





and heirs, is yet involved in mystery, 
as it was to Mcodemus. Illustrating 
this work of the Holy Spirit, the Sav- 
iour said, "The wind bloweth where it 
listeth, and thou hearest the sound 
thereof, but canst not tell whence it 
cometh, and whither it goeth ; so is 
every one that is born of the Spirit." 
The plain meaning of this is, that 
though the change wrought in the soul 
of the one who believes in Christ, 
who is born again, cannot be fully 
explained or understood, its effect can 
be. On account of this many who have 
made a profession of religion and are 
members of the Church, are much 
troubled about knowing whether they 
have really experienced the new birth 
or not. 

There are various causes which tend 
to produce this state of painful uncer- 

12 






FINDING THE WAY. 

tainty. A chief one, no doubt, is the 
very common one of endeavoring to 
understand and explain the change it- 
self, forgetting and overlooking the re- 
sults which are to follow, and which 
are to be the evidence that it has 
taken place. The Bible makes it very 
plain that the new birth is to effect 
an important change in the character, 
purposes, and life of all who are sub- 
jects of it. The Saviour says, "By 
their fruits ye shall know them." This 
means that the results which follow 
are to prove that the change has ta- 
ken place. 

Another type or illustration of the 
change is that of entering the strait 
gate which leadeth unto life. This nar- 
row way of life is put in contrast with 
the broad way that leadeth to destruc- 
tion. It would seem that a life in the 

13 





-e& 



FINDING THE WAY. 




narrow way would necessarily be so 
different from one in the broad way, 
that no one could be mistaken, even 
if the manner of being transferred — 
changed from the one to the other — 
cannot be fully explained. Those who 
live in the broad way follow their sin- 
ful inclinations and indulge in all 
wickedness; they gratify the lustful 
passions and delight in sinful pleas- 
ures; they may lie, and steal, and be 
drunken; indeed, do everything dis- 
pleasing to God. The broad way 
means unrestrained life in sin. A life 
in the narrow way cuts off all these, 
and is one of self-denials in following 
Christ. It is a restricted life, one 
fashioned after Christ as a pattern and 
example. 

What it is to be unconverted, to be 
out of Christ, the servants of sin, 

14 






FINDING THE WAY. 

seems to be much easier understood 
than what it is to be a Christian. 
This is the condition of all who come 
into the world. All are born in sin 
and with a nature so corrupted that the 
natural course is to sin and rebellion 
against God. In this state all choose 
the service of the devil, and prefer it 
to the service of God. They are " lov- 
ers of pleasure more than lovers of 
God." In this natural state, none love 
God or regard his law or his com- 
mandments; none love his service or 
his people. To those in this state the 
Saviour is not precious, and though he 
died for them, they will not have him 
to rule over them. All of this, and 
much more, everybody understands 
without difficulty, from the single fact 
that the life they live demonstrates it. 
It is very clear that all of whom 

15 







FINDING THE WAY. 

these things can be affirmed have not 
yet experienced the new birth, and all 
who die in this condition will never 
see the kingdom of Grod. 

If, then, the unconverted are of this 
character, and they are known to be 
such by the life they live, by what 
they prefer and do, by what they love 
and desire, may it not be safely con- 
cluded that those who live the opposite 
life, who love, desire, and prefer to do 
the opposite things, are Christians, 
having been born again? In almost 
everything that pertains to Grod and 
his cause, religious purity and life, the 
Christian life must be about the op- 
posite of the life of the unconverted. 
Those who have been born again, have 
been born to a new life, and must be 
found on the Lord's side and prefer 
his cause and service to the cause and 

16 






FINDING THE WAY. 

service of his enemies. The converted 
person will honor God's law, and his 
commandments will not be disregarded 
and violated without penitent sorrow. 
They will love his service and his 
cause, and be rejoiced with the sense 
of reconciliation with God. Thus, in 
all these things, it becomes manifest 
that old things have passed away and 
all things have become new. All of 
these things, which so distinctly mark 
the difference in preferences and life, 
indicate an important change, which, 
it does seem, ought to be sufficient to 
enable every one to know whether it 
has taken place or not. A few things 
are plain enough: The Christian in his 
heart must prefer the service of God 
to the service of the devil. Severe as 
its requirements are, the Christian 
would not have the Divine law dif- 

17 
-*9 



i 



I 




FINDING THE WAY. 

ferent from what it is, in its charac- 
ter and requirements. Those who have 
experienced this change will be pained 
at heart when the Divine will is dis- 
regarded by themselves or others, and 
they would rejoice to have all the 
world in subjection to the will of God. 
There are many marks of difference 
between those who have been born 
again and those who have not; between 
the children of God and the children 
of the wicked one; but these are suffi- 
cient to make the fact known, and to 
show, to observers, who are in the 
broad way and who are in the narrow. 
The agencies through which the 
change is wrought that puts the sin- 
ner out of harmony with the world, 
out of the natural state in which he 
was born, and into harmonv with 
Christ, are worthy of most serious at- 

18 






FINDING THE WAY. 




fcr 



tention. A correct understanding of 
this important matter will help all to 
know whether the change has taken 
place or not. 

To all who are lost in sin, Jesus 
comes as the only Saviour. He came 
to save the lost, and it was because 
the world was lost that he came to 
save it. If men were not already lost 
there would be no need of a Saviour. 
Pardon and salvation are offered to all 
on the simple condition of faith in 
Jesus as a personal Saviour. The plain 
declaration is, "He that believeth and 
is baptized shall be saved'; but he 
that believeth not shall be damned." 
Much trouble, however, arises to many 
by not being able to clearly compre- 
hend what is embraced in believing in 
Jesus as a personal Saviour. 

The sinner, by the aid of the Holy 

19 





FINDING THE WAY. 




Spirit, the word of truth, or the provi- 
dences of God, becomes conscious of 
the solemn fact that he is lost. In this 
awakened state the inquiry of every one 
is, "What must I do to be saved?" 
To this there is but one proper an- 
swer: "Believe on the Lord Jesus 
Christ." The fully awakened soul un- 
derstands that it must have a Saviour 
or remain forever lost and suffer the 
full penalty for sin. In this moment 
of supreme interest Jesus appears as 
the only hope, the only refuge. The 
assurance is that he is the only Sav- 
iour; that he is both able and willing 
to save. Seeing this, the sinner em- 
braces him, lays hold upon him "by 
faith, submits to be saved by him 
alone, having nothing else to trust or 
to do. Faith, then, must be simply 
and only accepting and submitting to 

20 



?a- 





FINDING THE WAY. 

Christ personally; putting the life, the 
will, and all into subjection to his will, 
to be guided and governed by him. 
The sinner who thus submits to Christ 
is saved, is born again, is in that 
moment made a new creature and a 
child of God. In this change, thus 
effected, the will of the believer be- 
comes subordinated to the will of 
Christ. This secures harmony of feel- 
ing and interest between them, and 
also reconciliation. Before this all are 
enemies and aliens, but after it 
there is agreement, This makes be- 
lievers everywhere one with Christ and 
with one another. (John xiv. 20.) This 
gives a common experience and char- 
acter to believers the world over. 
Substantially, they, everywhere, have 
the same desires, and they work to 
secure the same ends. They have com- 

21 







FINDING THE WAY. 

mon sympathies, trials, hopes, fears, 
and weaknesses; all having and wor- 
shiping the same Saviour, his will be- 
ing the supreme law of all. Thus 
Christ becomes "all and in all." This 
necessarily breaks their friendship with 
the world, and makes them a peculiar 
people. Believers form a common broth- 
erhood in Christ — one family, hated by 
the world as it hated Christ. This is 
very plainly stated by the Saviour 
when he says, "If the world hate you, 
ye know that it hated me before it 
hated you. If ye were of the world, 
the world would love his own; but 
because ye are not of the world, but I 
have chosen you out of the world, 
therefore the world hateth you." 

Such are some of the important re- 
sults flowing from the change, or new 
birth, wrought by the Holy Spirit in 

22 




f 




FINDING THE WAY. 

all who believe in Christ, who sub- 
mit their wills to his. Hence it is, 
that "by their fruits ye shall know 
them." 

In this faith and submission to the 
Saviour, the believer becomes a par- 
taker of his Spirit. "If any man have 
not the Spirit of Christ he is none 
of his." This means that the Saviour 
and believers are to be like-minded — 
having a similarity of purpose. This, 
evidently, is not brought about by any 
change in the spirit or disposition of 
the Saviour, but wholly by the change 
that takes place in the one who be- 
lieves. All this goes to show the 
warm and intimate relations which 
spring up between the converted soul 
and Christ. It must be plain to all 
that before the sinner accepted the Sav- 
iour and submitted to be saved, no 

23 






FINDING THE WAY. 

such identity of will, of sympathy, and 
interest existed. To be a Christian, 
therefore, is to be the willing servant 
of Christ. Christians are servants of 
their own free will and choice, will- 
ingly following the one they , serve, 
taking him as their pattern and guide. 
It thus comes to pass that the will of 
Christ is accepted as the supreme law 
of all believers. "Thy kingdom come. 
Thy will be done in earth, as it is 
in heaven," is a prayer offered by 
every Christian. 

The flesh remaining unchanged, be- 
ing corrupted and weak, the obedience 
rendered will not be perfect, and will 
not give full satisfaction to the be- 
liever himself. The Christian, however, 
will not seek to remedy this by de- 
siring any change in the character or 
requirements of the Divine law. There 

fcr 





|P — 

FINDIXG THE WAY. 

will be daily prayer for forgiveness, 
and an earnest striving to be trans- 
formed into a more perfect image and 
likeness of Christ. And "godly sor- 
row worketh repentance to salvation 
not to be repented of: but the sor- 
row of the world worketh death." 

In the life and teachings of the 
Saviour, all may learn what he de- 
sired to do, and to have done, in this 
world. Those who submit to him and 
become his followers, will desire to do, 
and to have done, the same things. 
Like the Saviour himself, they "will 
have all men to be saved, and to 
come unto the knowledge of the 
truth." This transition, from the old 
to the new, will interest those who 
experience it in whatever means are 
calculated to secure the conversion of 
others to Christ. Hence Christians 

25 







. e&£ 

FINDING THE WAY. 

are, everywhere, found giving of their 
time and means to sustain the Church, 
and to carry the gospel to those des- 
titute of it. 

Without anything further on these 
points, surely all readers can readily 
determine for themselves whether they 
have been thus changed in their de- 
sires and purposes toward God and 
his cause. May not all know whether 
they desire to have done what he 
does, and are willing to be " laborers 
together with God" in accomplishing 
it? May not all know whether the 
will of Christ is the supreme law 
to which they sincerely desire their 
own to be conformed? May not all 
know, with entire satisfaction, whether 
they would take pleasure in having 
all the world in subjection to the will 
of Christ, and all men obedient sub- 

26 





FINDING THE WAY. 




jects of his kingdom? It is, perhaps, 
not proper to affirm, positively, that 
any person is a Christian upon a mere 
profession of faith ; but, it can be con- 
fidently affirmed that those who have 
such an experience, and who desire 
such things, who labor to effect what 
Christ desires to have done, have been 
born again. It is certain that the ser- 
vants of the devil, as are all who have 
not experienced this change, do not 
have such a spirit and are not moved 
by such desires. The unconverted seek 
their chief good and pleasure in the 
lusts of the flesh, in the things which 
belong to the present life. With the 
Christian the present time, in a great 
degree, is filled up with cross-bearing 
and trials, and the future is the time 
for pleasure and rejoicing. In the 
eagerness for present gratification many 

27 



3§o- 




FINDING THE WAY. 

are deceived and led to regard relig- 
ion as merely something to enable 
those who embrace it to die happy. 
There will not, of course, be much 
light or comfort in the lives of those 
who take this view of it, but there 
will be confusion and disappointment. 
Why, then, should any one have 
trouble in knowing where he stands on 
this matter, which is so plain and sim- 
ple that a little child may understand 
it? It is very certain that those who 
have not accepted Christ as their Sav- 
iour, who have not submitted to him, 
are not yet Christians. Those, how- 
ever, who have accepted Christ, sub- 
mitted to him, and desire to have his 
will done, are Christians. The desires 
and efforts of true Christians are to 
be in complete submission and obedi- 
ence to the Saviour; but, with the 

28 







FINDING THE WAY. 

present weak and corrupted bodies, the 
obedience will be imperfect. There will 
be defects in the lives of the best; 
but as the purpose and aim of the 
true Christian is to do the will of 
Christ, all failures and imperfections 
will produce sorrow — " repentance to- 
ward Grocl." The wicked are not thus 
disturbed about the things they do, 
because they are sinful and opposed 
to the Divine will; but they find their 
highest pleasure in their sinful ways 
and prefer them. These facts make 
the distinction between the two classes 
so great and marked, that there could 
be no difficulty in knowing when the 
change had taken place, if all would 
look at it in the light in which the 
Bible presents it. Christianity puts 
Christ above everything else to the 
believer. His name, to the regenerated 

29 

m 




— — 6^ 

FINDING THE WAY. 

heart, is above every other name. Of 
course, like Simon the sorcerer, many 
join the Church who have not sub- 
mitted to Christ and believed in him, 
and, like Simon, have neither part nor 
lot in the matter. Young Christians, 
therefore, must not make the mistake 
of taking others for their guide in 
these things. Those who do this will 
be led into error. There will be 
much, it is true, in the lives of 
many Christians that may be safely 
imitated; but as none are perfect, 
there will also be much in the 
lives of the best that should not be 
followed. INTo two persons are alike 
in their habits and disposition, and 
they cannot, therefore, have the same 
experience. Although they are all 
to have the same spirit, there will 
be a difference in manifestation. Paul 



k§0- 




»* 



FINDING THE WAY. 




only asked that others follow him so 
far as he followed Christ. 

The Bible is the only infallible rule, 
and Jesus is the only perfect guide 
and proper example. Many are too 
ready to conclude that they cannot 
understand the Bible so as to be able 
to follow it. This, however, is because 
they do not really study it and try 
to understand it as they do other 
things. If the word of God were 
studied, as boys and girls study 
Arithmetic and Grammar, there would 
be less complaint about not being 
able to understand it. Evil ways 
are natural to all and easy to be un- 
derstood, and it requires no labor to 
study them out, just as weeds grow 
without care in planting and cultivat- 
ing. Good seed, however, must be 
carefully planted and properly culti- 

Itf 31 



8S 



&G- 





FINDING THE WAY. 

vated. The mind must set itself to 
know the truth, the will of God, and 
earnestly attend to the duties it re- 
quires. 

"It is thy will; and now anew 
Let me my earthly path pursue, 

With one determined aim — 
To ihee, to consecrate each power, 
To thee, to dedicate each hour, 

And glorify thy name. 

"It is thy will; I seek no more: 

Yet, if I cast toward that bright shore, 

A longiDg, tearful eye, 
It is because, when landed there, 
Sin will no more my heart ensnare, 

Nor Satan e'er draw nigh." 





32 



i 





Mastek, unto thy feet my gifts I bring, 

Alas! how small; 
I follow thee, though far my wanderings 

Ere I left all. 

If now thine eye, that seeth all, can see 

A single love 
That more than thy sweet love is now to me, 

Oh! Friend above, 

Help me t© tear the idol from its place! 

For I would fain 
Behold the beauty of my Saviour's face, 

And so remain. 

I have left all, and so I follow thee; 

Oh! take my hand, 
And by the way that seemest best for me, 

Lead to the land 

Of light and love, where many mansions are; 

Streams not a ray, 
Out through the vista of the gates ajar, 

O'er all my way. 








STARTING OUT. 
"This is the way, walk ye in it." 

" Follow me," is the language of 
Jesus when calling men to be his dis- 
ciples. This presents to every one an 
important duty — following Christ — at 
the very commencement of the Chris- 
tian life. The Saviour gives a fuller 
expression of the idea when he says, 
"If any man will come after me, let 
him deny himself, and take up his 
cross and follow me." Thus, in the 
very beginning of the new life, all 
are plainly taught that it requires 
cross-bearing and self-denials. The 
apostle says, "The grace of God that 
bringeth salvation hath appeared to all 

35 





STAKTIJNTG OUT. 




men, teaching us that, denying un- 
godliness and wordly lusts, we should 
live soberly, righteously, and godly, in 
this present world." Cross-bearing 
embraces all the burdens, trials, and 
hardships that may come to those who 
follow Christ in self-denial and, godly 
living. 

On the very door opening into the 
way of life is this plain declaration of 
the apostle: "If any man be in Christ, 
he is a new creature." This shows, 
most plainly, that there must be some 
radical change in all who abandon 
the service of the world and enter the 
service of Christ as obedient followers. 
The apostle, however, assists very 
much in understanding what this 
change is and does, by saying, "Old 
things are passed away; behold all 
things are become new." This, of 

36 








STAETING OUT. 





course, if true of one must be true 
of all who become Christians; and 
there must be some serious mistake 
when persons make a profession of 
religion, promise to renounce the world, 
and yet live just as they did before. 
A life in the service of the world and 
a life in the service of the Church 
cannot be the same, but, in some 
respects, must be radically unlike. 
There is one law for all. These facts 
are clearly made known in the Bible, 
and they ought to be understood and 
remembered by all in entering upon 
the new life. No one can become a 
new creature, and be turned from the 
old ways of sin to newness of life in 
Christ, without it being manifested in 
words, in actions, and in disposition. 
Young Christians must remember this, 
and keep constantly in mind the fact 

37 





STARTING OUT. 




that the world will closely observe 
the lives of those who profess to be 
the followers of Christ. 

The Bible declares that all have sin- 
ned. All who are old enough to know 
the difference between right and wrong, 
are fully conscious that they have not 
always, and in everything, done right. 
Wrong-doing is sin. Before conver- 
sion, all are found living in the ways 
of sin and disobedience. To be con- 
verted, is to be turned from this way 
of wrong-doing into a new way — into 
a life of doing right and of serving 
God. This turning from the ways of 
sin, which every one must do who 
becomes a follower of Christ, is what 
is meant by old things passing away. 
Engaging in the duties of religion, as 
all must do who leave the world for 
Christ, is what is meant by all things 

38 



PB- 






STARTING OUT. 

becoming new. The direction of the 
Word of Grod is, "Seek ye the 
Lord while he may be found, call ye 
upon him while he is near; let the 
wicked forsake his way and the un- 
righteous man his thoughts; and let 
him return unto the Lord." This 
makes the process plain to the most 
common mind. When Christ is ac- 
cepted, an open war is at once com- 
menced against wicked ways, and upon 
unrighteous thoughts. When any be- 
lieve on Christ, which means to ac- 
cept and trust him as their own per- 
sonal Saviour, he forgives them, blots 
out their transgressions, and inclines 
them to thoughts and things that are 
pure and good. This, necessarily, turns 
them from the old and starts them 
in a new life. JSTow, it is in this 
new way, and new life, that every 

39 




JWO~ 



STAKTING OUT. 




Christian has started, and in which 
he must continue to the end of life, 
if the prize of eternal life is gained. 
The Saviour calls this the narrow wav 
that leadeth unto life, for the reason 
that no other way leads to life. He 
says it is so narrow that but few 
find it! This is a very important 
revelation. The fact that it is so nar- 
row that but few find it, is the cause 
of serious trouble to many. But all 



who have entered the new 



way, 



and 



commenced the new life; all who have 
submitted to Christ and are following 
him, are already in the narrow way, 
and the difficulty of finding it is al- 
ready past. Once in the way, the 
duties which belong to it are to re- 
ceive attention rather than the start- 



ing. 



The things that are behind, 



or 




passed by, are to be forgotten, and 

40 





I. 



STAETING OUT. 

those that are before are of first con- 
sideration. Starting in the Christian 
course is but the beginning of a new 
way of living, and this manner of 
life is to be kept up until death comes. 
Many seem to start well, and to run 
well for a season, but are soon found 
in their old ways and habits. It can- 
not, therefore, be too definitely under- 
stood, in the very outset, that the 
beginning is not all. A right begin- 
ning is absolutely necessary, but only 
those who continue to the end shall 
receive the reward and be saved. The 
Bible is so full of instruction and 
warning on this point, that attentive 
readers will not be misled. Constancy 
in the service of Christ, and in relig- 
ious duties, is essential to Christian 
character, influence, and enjoyment. 
"He that endureth to the end shall 

41 





STAKTING OUT. 





be saved." Those who promise to go 
and do not, are worse than those who 
at first refuse, and then repent and 
go. "When thou vowest a vow unto 
God, defer not to pay it. . . . Bet- 
ter is it that thou shouldest not vow, 
than that thou shouldest vow and not 
pay." See also, Matt. xxi. 28-31. 

This necessity for constant fidelity 
and continuance in Christian duty, 
earnestly following Christ, cannot be 
too early nor too deeply impressed 
upon the minds of young Christians. 
Religious life is the same in charac- 
ter all the way along that it is at 
the beginning, and its claims and du- 
ties increase rather than diminish. 
Those who reach heaven must do so 
through continuance in the way that 
leads to it, and there is but one way, 
which way is Christ. He said, "I am 

42 




STAETIXG OUT. 

the way, the truth, and the life." "If 
any man will come after me, let him 
deny himself, and take up his cross, 
and follow me." This is the narrow 
way, along which he safely conducts 
all who submit themselves to him. 
No one need be deceived, for the 
ways of the world are not this way. 
Starting out in the Christian course 
implies starting out in quite a num- 
ber of things. From the hour a pro- 
fession of religion is made, it is nec- 
essary for young Christians to give 
earnest attention to the things best 
calculated to strengthen them, and 
build them up in their principles, and 
to help them in the way. True con- 
secration to Christ implies and re- 
quires the subjection of both the body 
and mind to him. The body is to be 
made a living sacrifice, and the whole 

43 




$^s- 





STAKTING OUT. 





is to be transformed by the renewing 
of the mind. The blessed Saviour and 
the duties of religion must have a 
prominent place in the mind of the 
Christian. The direction is, " Whatso- 
ever things are true, whatsoever things 
are honest, whatsoever things are just, 
whatsoever things are pure, whatso- 
ever things are lovely, whatsoever 
things are of good report; if there be 
any virtue, if there be any praise, 
think on these things." "For if these 
things be in you, and abound, they 
make you that ye shall neither be 
barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge 
of our Lord Jesus Christ." 

It is with religion as with other 
things. The boy or girl at school, 
who does not think about the lessons 
in Grammar and Arithmetic, will, cer- 
tainly, not know much about them, 

44 




(F 




STAETING OUT. 

and, as a scholar, will have a very 
low grade. The doctor who does not 
think of his medicines and patients, 
will not accomplish much good in his 
calling. The merchant that does not 
give his thoughts to his store, goods, 
and customers, will be certain to fail. 
So it will be with those who start 
in the new life, but do not give their 
thoughts to the Saviour and keep the 
duties of their profession in mind. 
They will most certainly fail to have 
much spiritual enjoyment, and to main- 
tain a good profession. Religion has 
much to do with the mind, and young 
Christians must begin at once to give 
careful attention to their thoughts. 
"As a man thinketh in his heart, so 
is he." "Watch thou in all things." 
Those who would follow Christ must 
be active. They will find much to do. 

45 






STAETING OUT. 

The religious life requires action as 
well as thought. Thought leads to 
action, and one of the first things to 
be gained in the new way, is to be 
established in the habit of right think- 
ing — thinking about right things. This 
necessarily leads to right action. Chris- 
tian duties enforce their claims so soon 
as the new life begins. The attempt 
to live properly and maintain a good 
profession, while neglecting the thoughts 
and actions, always proves a failure, 
and fatal to progress in religious en- 
joyment. Here, in these things, in 
the starting out, is where many be- 
come involved in troubles which mar 
the beauty of their religious life and 
enjoyment. The longer such duties are 
deferred, the harder the task of be- 
ginning becomes, and the more serious 
the damage every way. This is the 

46 




iD 



-eg 



® 




STARTING OUT. 

secret of the defective lives of many 
who give much hope in the starting. 
Among the duties first to be taken 
up, and one that is to be kept up to 
the end, is 

PRAYER. 

Young Christians will not advance 
very far in the necessary duties of 
the new life without prayer. It is in 
the midst of the most earnest prayer 
that they are accepted of Christ, and 
it would be strange if it should cease 
at once. Praying r is considered one 
of the most difficult and embarrassing 
duties, especially by those who are 
just commencing. Delaying, however, 
does not render it easier, but serious 
troubles and disadvantages follow its 
neglect. 

This duty is rendered easy by be- 

47 






STARTING OUT. 

ginning it in private. The habit of 
offering daily prayer in private, in 
audible words, prepares the way and 
makes prayer easy in public, when it 
becomes duty to offer it. Christian 
duties, be it remembered, are not to 
be done merely because they are easy 
and agreeable, but because they are 
necessary and right. Prayer may 
prove a heavy burden to many, es- 
pecially that which is public, but it 
cannot be neglected on this account. 
Experience proves that the burden is 
made lighter and the task easier, 
when taken up at the beginning and 
attended to regularly. Any duty neg- 
lected is thereby made more difficult. 
As a rule, all duties become easier 
and more agreeable as they are prac- 
ticed and become better understood. 
A prayer, to be acceptable to God, 

48 






STARTING OUT. 

does not require many words nor fair 
speech. The idea is well expressed 
in these stanzas : 

Prayer is the soul's sincere desire, 

Uttered or unexpressed; 
The motion of a hidden fire 

That trembles in the breast. 

Prayer is the simplest form of speech 

That infant lips can try; 
Prayer the sublimest strains that reach 

The Majesty on high. 

Prayer is the Christian's vital breath, 

The Christian's native air: 
His watchword at the gates of death — 

He enters heaven with prayer. 

O thou, by whom we come to God — 
The Life, the Truth, the Way; 

The path of prayer thyself hast trod; 
Lord ! teach us how to pray. 

BIBLE STUDY. 

There is much said about Bible 
reading, which is well enough, but 
Bible study is better. The Bible 

49 






STAKTING OUT. 





stands first in its claims upon the 
attention of all Christians. It is the 
Word of Life, because it contains 
what is necessary to be known about 
God, the Saviour, the Holy Spirit, 
heaven, Satan the great enemy, hell, 
Christian duty and life. It is the only 
infallible rule of faith and practice. 
All, therefore, who are starting in the 
new life should begin the prayerful 
study of this Book of books. Without 
careful attention to the Word of Life, 
there will be no great advance in the 
way of life. Many, who do not pro- 
fess to be religious, read the Bible, 
but not for the purpose of doing what 
it teaches, or of learning how to fol- 
low the Saviour. They read it be- 
cause they are afraid not to do so, 
and having done this much, they quiet 
their minds and give no heed to its 

50 





STARTING OUT. 

teachings and demands. The Christian 
must studv it in a different manner 
and for a different purpose; and, hav- 
ing learned its lessons, must reduce 
them to practice. This should be 
commenced at the very starting out. 

The Bible is the only book that 
throws a true light upon the way in 
which the young Christian is starting, 
or that makes known the manner of 
walking therein. It, alone, shows what 
believers are to be, and do, and en- 
dure. Young Christians cannot become 
familiar with these too soon, nor un- 
derstand them too well. The Psalmist 
shows his estimate of its value when 
he says, "Thy word have I hid in 
mine heart, that I might not sin 
against thee." " Through thy precepts 
I get understanding; therefore I hate 
every false way. Thy word is a lamp 

51 






-s^& 



STAETIjNTG out. 




unto my feet, and a light unto my 
path." " Wherewithal shall a young 
man cleans his way? by taking heed 
thereto according to thy word." 

The Bible is much fuller and clearer 
now than it was then, and is to be 
much more to the Christian than it 
was to the believer of ancient times. 
The Bible, especially the New Testa- 
ment, shines with much clearer light, 
and makes all who study it acquainted 
with the necessary and practical duties 
of religion. It addresses all in this 
manner: "If ve then be risen with 
Christ, seek those things which are 
above. . . . Set your affections on 
things above, not on things on the 
earth. For ye are dead, and your life 
is hid with Christ in God. . . . Mor- 
tify therefore your members which are 
upon the earth; fornication, unclean- 

52 






STARTING OUT. 

ness, inordinate affection. . . . Lie 
not one to another, seeing ye have 
put off the old man with his deeds; 
and have put on the new man. . . . 
Forbearing one another, and forgiving 
one another, if any man have a quar- 
rel against any; even as Christ for- 
gave you so also do ye. . . . Let 
the peace of God rule in your hearts. 
. . . And whatsoever ye do, do it 
heartily, as unto the Lord, and not 
unto men. . . . But he that doeth 
wrong shall receive for the wrong he 
hath done; and there is no respect 
of persons." 

These passages, selected from one 
short chapter, show how rich the gos- 
pel is in instruction, and how neces- 
sary it is for all to be familiar with 
it. Neglecting the Bible when start- 
ing out is the fatal mistake of multi- 

53 







STARTING OUT. 

tudes. Many persons seem to think 
they can learn enough from others, 
from the sermons they hear, without 
so much personal study. Those who 
depend upon these will have a very 
unsatisfactory experience. There can 
be no substitute for the Bible itself. 
It alone "is the power of God unto 
salvation to every one that believeth." 
Its truths and teachings are necessary 
in every situation, and without them no 
one will have much strength of char- 
acter, or make much advance in spiritual 
things. Young Christians who desire to 
be established in their religious princi- 
ples, as do all true converts, must study 
the Word of God for themselves. Its 
teachings cannot be too firmly fixed in 
the mind, nor too closely followed in 
life. 

Many neglect the Bible, and excuse 

54 






STAETIXG OUT. 





themselves on the ground of want of 
time. As there is nothing of more 
importance, all can better afford to 
provide time for this, than for some 
things less important. Christians can 
better afford to be ignorant of many 
other things, than of the Word of Life. 
This is the manna — the daily food from 
heaven — by which spiritual life is to be 
maintained. Those who, from any 
cause, do not get the necessary regular 
supply, will suffer leanness of soul, and 
be feeble in their religious life. Pro- 
crastination in this, as in other things, 
is dangerous. Earnest Bible study 
should be commenced by all so soon 
as they take up the cross to follow 
Christ. No one will follow him, either 
closely or well, who does not search 
the Scriptures to find what service is 
required. If the wisest and the best 

55 





STAKTING OUT. 





need to study it, and be taught by it, 
how much more those who have just 
entered the way in which it alone can 
guide them ! 

THE LOKD's DAY AND HOUSE. 

Bible study cannot be made a sub- 
stitute for other duties. Preaching of 
the Word, and the assembling of the 
members of the church for divine 
service, ought to be helps in Bible 
study; and a preacher who has the 
spirit of his station, will certainly excite 
a desire in his hearers to know more of 
the Word of Truth. Those who would 
"so run that they may obtain, " in 
starting out in the Christian course, 
must attend upon the services and 
ordinances of God's house. They should 
begin at once to share a part in all that 
belongs to the divine service. This 

56 





STAETING OUT. 





necessarily requires a clue observance 
of the Sabbath clay. This is the time 
provided by divine appointment for the 
required Bible study, for regular relig- 
ious services, and for personal spiritual 
improvement. The command is: " Re- 
member the Sabbath day to keep it 
holy." This command should be 
indelibly impressed upon the mind, 
and written upon the palms of the 
hands of every young Christian. No 
one can become eminent for piety, or 
have much religious enjoyment, or gain 
any high degree of Christian standing 
and influence, who disregards the claims 
of the Lord's clay. In the very be- 
ginning of the new life, the proper 
observance of the Sabbath must also 
be begun. All who disregard this 
command will certainly fall behind in 
the Christian race. 

57 






STARTING OUT. 

The Sabbath, as a season of sacred 
rest, is afforded expressly for religious 
purposes; not for personal pleasure, 
social recreation, and physical exercise, 
as so many mistake. All the week is 
given to physical exhaustion, and the 
Sabbath provides for physical rest and 
recuperation, and not for social, carnal 
pleasures. There should be no more 
recreation on the Sabbath day, or phys- 
ical exercise, than religion and necessary 
duties require. The plea for some 
physical recreation on the Sabbath, such 
as pleasure walking and driving, is a 
mistaken one, and without the sanction 
of the divine law; and, therefore, 
damaging to the religious life. This 
one day belongs exclusively to the Lord. 
The six days are allowed for the pursuit 
of personal and secular interests, but 
the seventh is the Sabbath of the Lord 

58 






^§5 

STAETING OUT. 

thy God. By the divine command it 
is to be remembered and kept holy. 
The young Christian, therefore, cannot 
begin the observance of this day too 
promptly, nor continue it too steadily. 
These duties — prayer, Bible study, 
and the observance of the Sabbath — 
constitute the very essence of Christian 
life. Without them there can be no 
religious influence or character. Those 
who are faithful in these essentials, will 
constantly grow in grace, and in the 
knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 
"The path of the just is as the shining 
light, that shineth more and more unto 
the perfect day." But this path cannot 
become bright to those who do not walk 
in it. The common mistake of multi- 
tudes, in starting out, is, in concluding 
that they may defer giving special 
attention to such things until they grow 

59 





STAKTING OUT. 

stronger, and have more experience. 
But the only way to advance and gain 
strength in religious things, is to 
exercise in the duties of the Christian 
life. The child has to try to walk, and 
exercise its limbs, long before it can 
walk, and it is only by doing this that 
it ever learns to walk at all. It is much 
the same way with those who would 
learn to walk with Christ in the way 
of life. Begin to discharge, as best you 
can, all the duties which belong to 
members of the Church of Christ, and 
the path will grow brighter, and the 
burdens lighter, and there will be peace 
and joy in the Holy Grhost. 




60 









Lord, I believe; Ihy power I own; 

Thy truth I would obey; 
I wander comfortless and lone, 

When from thy paths I stray. 
Lord, I believe; but gloomy fears 

Sometimes bedim my sight; 
I look to thee with prayers and tears, 

And cry for strength and light. 

Lord, I believe; yet thou dost know, 

My faith is cold and weak 
Pity my frailty, and bestow 

The confidence I seek: 
Yes, I believe; and only thou 

Canst give my doubts relief; 
Lord, to thy truth my spirit bow, 

Help thou my unbelief. 






IN THE SHADOWS. 

Many Christians have troubles and 
conflicts. They meet with temptations, 
and do not find the Christian course 
one of carnal ease and pleasure. Two 
of the disciples walked with the Saviour 
to Emmaus, and talked with him, but 
did not recognize him. They were in 
great trouble and distress of mind, 
though Jesus was so near them. The 
eleven were even frightened when Jesus 
appeared to them and talked with them. 
We are inclined to charge the disciples 
with being slow of faith and blind. It 
seems that their doubts and troubles 
arose from their not understanding the 
Scriptures. Many troubles and tempt a- 

63 





IN THE SHADOWS. 

tions come to Christians now from the 
same source, and there is as great 
necessity for studying and understanding 
the Bible now as then. The Word of 
Grod is the only infallible guide, and all 
who undertake to live the new life 
without knowing and following its 
teachings, will soon fall into temp- 
tations, and find the way environed 
with difficulties. Jesus is ever near 
his followers, to help, guide, and 
deliver them. The Saviour said: 
" Search the Scriptures"; "they are 
they which testify of me." This 
testimony was no clearer, truer, or 
more necessary then than it is now. 

There is no longer a visible appear- 
ance of the Saviour. Christians, young 
and old alike, are to walk by faith, 
and not by sight. Forgetting this, 
leads into trouble and darkness. Jesus 




64 





ST 




IN THE SHADOWS. 

said: "It is expedient for you that I 
go away: for if I go not away, the 
Comforter will not come unto you; but 
if I depart, I will send him unto you." 
The Comforter is the Holy Spirit, 
which is to reprove the world of sin, 
of righteousness, and of judgment. 
The Holy Spirit also enlightens, 
strengthens, comforts, and guides the 
Christian. Those, therefore, who think 
it would be easier to follow 'Christ, and 
live the new life, if he could be seen, 
may understand by this that it would 
be otherwise. It is very evident that 
knowing Jesus by sight is not necessary, 
and would not be so valuable as 
knowing him in Spirit — being in posses- 
sion of his Spirit. The unconverted do 
not have this Spirit, and they do not 
follow him, but are the servants of sin. 
"As many as are led by the Spirit of 

65 







IN THE SHADOWS. 

God, they are the sons of God." Seeing 
Christ with the natural eye did not 
make men his disciples, and it would 
not answer the purpose now, nor 
diminish the temptations and difficulties 
of the new life. Having the Spirit, 
and being led by it, are essential to 
Christian life, growth, and happiness. 
The absolute necessity for studying 
the Bible has before been insisted upon. 
This duty cannot be too constantly 
kept in mind; for one of the most 
common temptations into which young 
Christians fall, is neglecting the Bible. 
Doing this, they form incorrect ideas 
of their relations to God and to others. 
This uniformly leads to other serious 
mistakes, which fill the mind with 
doubts and darkness. In such a condi- 
tion there will be but little or no 
comfort and happiness in religious 

&-• - M 



>&9 

IX THE SHADOWS. 

things. The distress which results 
from spiritual darkness is, really, a good 
omen, for the unconverted are not 
disturbed by their uncertain standing 
before God. The true Christian always 
suffers when he has fear about being 
accepted of God. The enemy is aware 
of this, and lets no opportunity pass 
for creating distrust in the minds of 
the true children of God. 

" Pilgrim's Progress" is a most 
valuable companion book for the Bible. 
It throws much light upon the Chris- 
tian's way, and illustrates many of the 
things that throw shadows on the path 
and give trouble. The Christian way 
and life are new to all who enter upon 
them, whether young or old. Very few 
advance far, before, like Pilgrim, they 
are beset with difficulties, and troubled 
with doubts. They forget that many 

67 








IN THE SHADOWS. 

old habits and associations must be 
abandoned, and new ones formed. This 
constitutes a very large and important 
part of the new, or Christian life. 
This separation from old ways will not 
be satisfactorily accomplished without 
a fixed purpose, and constant fidelity 
to the duties of the way. There are 
many ways, but only one right way; 
only one that leads to heaven, while 
there are many leading to destruction. 
Some of these false ways run so 
nearly with the true one that multi- 
tudes are deceived and conclude they 
are so near the right, and so little 
wrong, that they need not give them- 
selves trouble about it. The great 
enemy is wise and seeks to deceive 
and lead astray, and he cares but lit- 
tle what way one is in so it is not 
the right one, or how near one may 

68 






IN THE SHADOWS. 

be to the right way, so not actually 
in it. 

Many are deceived and brought into 
darkness, with the idea that the Chris- 
tian life is to be one of uninterrupted 
ease and pleasure ; and, when disap- 
pointments, temptations, and sorrows 
arise, they are ready to despond. The 
Bible, however, guards all against 
such error, and those who know it 
best, and follow its instructions most 
diligently, will succeed best and have 
the most religious enjoyment, and be 
troubled with fewest doubts. Pilgrim 
encountered the Hill Difficulty and the 
lions, and got out of his way because 
he did not follow the instructions of 
his Roll. So it is with all who neg- 
lect the Bible. 

The new birth, or the change 
wrought in the person who renounces 

69 





IN THE SHADOWS. 

the world and believes in Christ, is 
a spiritual change, not physical. The 
body is not born again, as Nicodemus 
thought it must be when the Saviour 
was telling him of the change that 
must take place in order to be saved. 
Regeneration is spoken of as the re- 
newing of the mind, not of the body. 
The body remains the same after as 
before the change, hence it does not 
make the person perfect, or free from 
tendencies to do wrong by gratifying 
the carnal appetites and passions. 
Remembering this will help all to 
understand much that would otherwise 
be mysterious and cause trouble. 

The body is the seat of carnal de- 
sires and appetites, which cannot be 
gratified without the mind being filled 
with trouble and fears. It should be 
constantly kept in mind that these 







IN THE SHADOWS. 

evil tendencies of the body must be 
vigilantly watched and guarded against. 
No one can advance in the new life, 
or take pleasure in religious experi- 
ence, exercises, and duties without this. 
The body not being renewed with 
the soul, in conversion, there is found 
in every Christian an influence not 
in harmony with the renewed mind. 
The body, with its tendencies to evil, 
is to be brought into subjection to, 
and controlled by, the renewed soul. 
The Christian, therefore, finds a con- 
flict within himself. The Apostle Paul 
describes this condition when he says: 
"That which I do, I allow not: for 
what I would, that do I not; but 
what I hate, that do I." "Now then 
it is no more I that do it, but sin 
that dwelleth in me. For I know 
that in me (that is, in my flesh) 

71 






£3§3 



IN THE SHADOWS. 

dwelleth no good thing: for to will 
is present with me; but how to per- 
form that which is good I find not." 
"I find then a law, that, when I 
would do good, evil is present with 
me. For I delight in the law of 
Grod after the inward man: but I see 
another law in my members, warring 
against the law of my mind, and 
bringing me into captivity to the law 
of sin which is in my members." 
"So then with the mind I serve the 
law of God; but with the flesh the 
law of sin." "We are debtors, not 
to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 
For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall 
die: but if ye through the Spirit do 
mortify the deeds of the body ye shall 
live." "I keep under my body and 
bring it into subjection." 

No change is wrought in any of 

72 



i 





6©S 

IN THE SHADOWS. 

the natural senses of the body by 
the work of regeneration. Liquor will 
taste the same, and produce drunken- 
ness after conversion the same as 1 e- 
fore, and those who would not be 
overtaken by this sin must not drink 
liquor. A person may have the same 
kind of pleasure from the gratification 
of the fleshly appetites and passions, 
after conversion as before. This leads 
multitudes into most serious trouble. 
These are "the pleasures of sin." 
Many things may give real pleasure 
and gratification, and yet be very 
wrong, and produce darkness and sor- 
row of heart. The Christian life is 
not all pleasure, nor is all pleasure 
sinful. The devil, being crafty, takes 
advantage of all these facts and de- 
C3ives many, hinders their progress, 
and obscur >s the light of their lives. 




m THE SHADOWS. 





In the resurrection the body will be 
purified and all evil tendencies taken 
away, and there will then be entire 
harmony between the body and soul. 
This subject has been mentioned here 
for the purpose of calling attention to 
the body as a source of trouble to 
the Christian, and of guarding all 
against yielding to the demands of 
carnal desires. Many think that it is 
right to do whatever they are in- 
clined to do, but this is a mistake. 
The inclinations of the renewed soul, 
it is true, are to that which is right, 
but those of the unrenewed body are 
to evil. This should be kept in mind, 
so that the evil may be guarded 
against and the good followed. 

Of the many things leading the 
young Christian into doubt and trouble 
that may be here mentioned, are: 

74 




IN THE SHADOWS. 

1. Ignorance of duty. This is partly 
unavoidable, for our knowledge is not 
perfect in this life. • Do the best we 
can, there will be much that the 
wisest will not know. When we get 
out of the way, or, from any cause, 
fail to do our duty, there will be loss 
of spiritual light and enjoyment. The 
chief trouble, however, arises from 
ignorance that might be avoided by a 
proper attention to the Word of Grocl 
and the claims of religion upon the 
present life. Christians are disciples, 
which means that they are learners 
and that they must give due atten- 
tion to the things to be learned 
from the teachings of Christ. Those 
who start in the new way should 
begin at once to learn all they can 
of the claims and obligations of their 
new calling. The ignorance which 








IN THE SHADOWS. 

comes from the want of effort to be 
informed is a much more serious 
affair. Those who have means and 
opportunities for learning their duty, 
but do not improve them, cannot 
escape the evil consequences on the 
ground of ignorance. The Saviour 
said: "That servant, which knew his 
lord's will, and prepared not himself, 
neither did according to his will, 
shall be beaten with many stripes. 
But he that knew not, and did com- 
mit things worthy of stripes, shall 
be beaten with few stripes. For 
unto whomsoever much is given, of 
him shall be much required ; and to 
whom men have committed much, of 
him they will ask the more." Be- 
fore the Bible was printed but few 
• could have a copy of it, and might 
be excused for even great lack of 

76 






% 



IN THE SHADOWS. 

knowledge, but now every Christian 
can have a copy and is without ex- 
cuse. Then, many might be ignorant 
of much of its teachings, but now all 
can study and understand it. Those 
who would now escape the evils of 
not knowing the Bible must study 
it — must study to show themselves 
approved unto God. 

2. JSTeglect of known duties is the 
greater and more common source of 
trouble to all who enter the service of 
Christ. The influences leading to this 
are numerous. All know better than 
they do; and, as a consequence, all have 
more or less of darkness and trouble 
in their Christian life and experience. 
One error leads to another; the neglect 
of one duty leads to the neglect of 
another, and in this way the trouble 
augments itself in a fearful ratio. 

77 





IN THE SHADOWS. 

Many are misled by the fact that 
duties sometimes seem so hard, unin- 
teresting, and difficult, and on this 
account they are not taken up. They 
conclude that duty to the Christian 
should be always agreeable, and easily 
performed; but the Bible and all 
experience show that this is an error. 
Were the body renewed in conversion, 
the conquest would be easy; but, as it 
is not, a complete victory can be gained 
only by earnest attention and effort, 
and a constant looking to Christ. It 
is a great victory when gained, but 
is to be reached through faithful 
exercise in the duties required. Those 
who are unwilling to endure this 
hardness as good soldiers, will not have 
a satisfactory life. Those, then, who 
would avoid trouble, doubt, and dark- 
ness, must be faithful an 1 constant in 

78 







IJST THE SHADOWS. 

duty, whether it be easy and agreeable 
or not. Only in this way can they 
walk in the light of God, and rejoice 
in all their sorrows and trials. 

3. A fruitful source of trouble and 
deadness, with many who become church 
members, is improper company. There 
is, perhaps, nothing more dangerous to 
young Christians. It may be very 
difficult, in many instances, to break 
away from old associations, but it must 
be done. It> is common to overlook 
the teachings of the Bible on this 
point, yet they are very plain. The 
book of Psalms opens with these sig- 
nificant words: " Blessed is the man 
that walketh not in the counsel of 
the ungodly, nor standeth in the way 
of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of 
the scornful." Paul says: "Be ye not 
unequally yoked together with unbc- 




Ii\ THE SHADOWS. 





lievers: for what fellowship hath right- 
eousness with unrighteousness ? and 
what communion hath light with dark- 
ness? and what concord hath Christ 
with Belial? or what part hath he 
that belie veth with an infidel? and 
what agreement hath the temple of 
God with idols? for ye are the temple 
of the living God; as God hath said, 
I will dwell in them, and walk in 
them; and I will be their Gocl, and 
they shall be my people. Wherefore 
come out from among them, and be 
ye separate, saith the Lord." Speak- 
ing directly upon this subject, Solomon 
says: "Can a man take fire in his 
bosom and his clothes not be burned? 
Can one go upon hot coals and 
his feet not be burned?" The 
thoughts, language, and practices of 
the irreligious, as a rule, are so unlike 

80 




6 



IN THE SHADOWS. 

those of the Christian, that the two 
cannot be intimately associated without 
injury to the latter. All, therefore, 
who desire to maintain a good pro- 
fession, must pay due attention to the 
character of those whom they select 
for companions. Those who do not do 
this, will most certainly have trouble, 
doubts, and darkness. 

4. The neglect of prayer and com- 
munion with God is a most common 
cause of difficulty. When the Christian 
prays he is in communion with God, 
and those who are regular and earnest 
in this duty, will not get far out of the 
way. Prayer puts and keeps the 
Christian in the position to receive the 
blessings and comforts God has for all 
true worshipers. Those who neglect 
this duty will not only be deprived of 
the good it brings, but also suffer cold- 

81 




$ 



£§*S- 





IJST THE SHADOWS. 

ness and leanness of soul. In this 
way the believer is weakened, and 
robbed of the purest joys. 

5. Conforming to the world in its 
practices, fashions, and pleasures. 
There is an essential difference between 
the Church and the world. This differ- 
ence begins at conversion, and is to 
increase with the years. Those who 
become disciples and followers of Christ, 
must ever remember that the world is 
not to be their guide. The world, the 
flesh, and the devil, are the three great 
enemies to the Christian, and they must 
be resisted and overcome. This cannot 
be done by yielding to them, or follow- 
ing after them. Those, then, who would 
enjoy the comforts of religion, and 
maintain a good profession, must not 
be conformed to the world. 

6. Failing to make honest confession 

82 





IX THE SHADOWS. 




to God of wrong clone, or of duty 
neglected, brings trouble to all who do 
it. The child that hides its mistakes 
and wrong-doings from its parents, will 
not be happy; and, most likely, will be 
led into greater wrongs. It is the same 
with the Christian who fails to make 
acknowledgment to God; for, "If we 
confess our sins, he is faithful and just 
to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us 
from all unrighteousness." This should 
form a part of daily prayer, and those 
who honestly follow it will be richly 
rewarded in the peace of mind that 
will result from it. But to be of value, 
such confessions must be followed by 
reformation, and by earnest efforts to 
avoid a repetition of* the wrong. The 
prayer of the Psalmist was: "Cleanse 
thou me from secret faults." The sins 
committed in secret are, perhaps, more 

83 





w^ 

ry^ 



IN THE SHADOWS. 

dangerous than those committed openly, 
for the reason that they are more likely 
to be covered up. But God knows the 
heart and all secret sins, and it is best 
and safest to be honest with him. 

7. There is, perhaps, no more prolific 
source of trouble to the Christian than 
evil thoughts. "As a man thinketh in 
his heart, so is he." The Christian 
must keep a constant watch over his 
thoughts, for without this there will be 
little comfort or advance in religious 
things. Evil thoughts are so insidious, 
that they corrupt the life almost uncon- 
sciously. There must be constant 
attention to the matter of keeping the 
thoughts pure; and to be pure, they 
must be upon proper objects. All who 
would live a true and consistent Chris- 
tian life, must strive to keep the mind 
from impure things, and upon such as 

84 






TN THE SHADOWS. 




B§a 



are pure. The danger is great, and the 
necessity for faithfulness in watching is 
also great. So long as the devil can 
keep the mind as a cage of unclean 
birds, and the thoughts, especially in 
secret, upon improper things, he will 
have the person in his power. 

There are other sources of trouble to 
the Christian, but if what have been 
named receive due attention, there will 
not be much difficulty in escaping from 
others. Neglect of these will blight any 
life, and those who desire to walk in the 
light and to enjoy religion, must give 
attention to them. The evils which 
arise from the neglect of Christian 
duties, do not fall upon the unfaithful 
ones only, but also upon those who are 
more faithful, and upon the Church and 
cause. When one member suffers, the 
whole body suffers with it. The trials 

85 




IN THE SHADOWS. 

of one member of a family affect and 
involve all the members. In all these 
Christ is the help and light of those 
who sincerely desire to serve him and 
honor their calling. 

"Oft my path is dark and drear, 
And my heart is filled with fear, 
Yet I hear my Saviour's voice, 
And his words my heart rejoice. 

When the fearful tempest blows, 
When my enemies oppose, 
While the storm is passing by, 
Still I hear my Saviour nigh. 

When I tread death's gloomy vale, 
Still his presence shall not fail; 
Then his staff will be my stay, 
And I'll hear my Saviour say: 

I will guide thee, I will guide thee, 
In the way I will instruct thee." 






i(9- 



"Lord, 1 will follow thee," I said, 
"And give to thee my heart; 
And for the world and self will keep 

Only a little part; 
A little part, what time my soul 

Grows weary, worn, and sad, 
A little spot wmere earthly joys 
May come to make me glad." 
But on my ear, it seemed to me, 
I heard a whisper fall : 
-'I cannot halve thy heart with thee; . 
Give none to me— or all." 

"But, Lord, the world is fair," I said, 
"I would not go astray, 
Yet sometimes may I pluck a flower 

Outside the narrow way? 
Yet sometimes may I sit serene, 

Nor spirit-conflicts share, 
Just shitting for a space, the Cross 

I am content to bear?" 
Yet once again, it seemed to me, 
I heard the whisper fall : 
"I cannot halve thy heart with thee; 
Give none to me— or all." 






THE PLEASURES OF SIN. 




The present life is not a play-time. 
It is a brief season afforded for earnest 
engagement in the most important 
duties. In the time allotted, the eternal 
happiness or misery of every soul is to 
be determined. The claimed necessity 
for so much time to be spent in self- 
indulgence and carnal gratification, is 
greatly magnified. Many more are 
injured by idleness and excessive 
pleasure, than by over attention to 
necessary duties. More souls are ruined 
by not beginning early enough, than by 
embracing religion too soon. Christians, 
no doubt, need some relaxation from 
the sterner duties which every day 

89 






THE PLEASUEES OF SIN. 

demand attention. But, in whatever 
this recreation may be, it must not 
be such as will destroy Christian 
character and influence. 

With all who are true Christians, the 
duty of maintaining correct religious 
principles and habits of life, must be of 
pre-eminent importance. The true 
church member cannot place any tem- 
porary pleasure or carnal gratification 
above Christian fidelity and example. 
Whatever of self-denials, trials, and 
reproaches may come to the Christian, 
in whatever business or situation he 
may be placed, the profession he has 
made must be held fast. 

So certainly as there is such a thing 
as a new life — a life in Christ — 
must there be a difference between the 
pleasures and pursuits of those who live 
this life, and those who do not. Too 

90 



$ 



£P 




THE PLEASUEES OF SIN. 




many, however, do not fully comprehend 
this truth, because they entertain the too 
common idea that it does not apply to 
young Christians. This is a most 
serious mistake; one that leads to 
much trouble, and has made shipwreck 
of multitudes. The world, however, has 
no trouble on account of questionable 
pleasures and amusements. The broad 
way is wide enough to take in the dance, 
the theatre, the card-table, the wine- 
cup— in short, every form of pleasure 
and carnal gratification which a common 
depravity covets. The world has no 
qualms of conscience, or questions of 
liberty or propriety, about a religious 
character and life, and is, therefore, not 
troubled as are they who are not of this 
world, as the Saviour - declared his 
followers to be. The world throngs the 
broad way, but the way of the Christian, 

91 






THE PLEASURES OF SIN. 

however young, is narrow, and sets 
a strict limit to the things which are 
to be allowed to those who are in it. 
This way is declared so narrow by the 
Saviour himself, that but few find it. 
All true Christians, young and old, 
are in this narrow way, and in it they 
are to find all of the privileges and 
pleasures which the Bible allows, and 
which a life of self-denial in following 
Christ affords them. Only those who 
walk in this way, can be the light of 
the world and the salt of the earth, 
which the Saviour says his true followers 
are. When Christians forget this, 
and conform to the world — go with the 
world in the broad way — and seek 
pleasure and amusement in things that 
are purely worldly and sensual, they lose 
the higher pleasures of religion; and 
the light that should be in them to 

92 







: ^Sj 

THE PLEASUEES OF SIX. 

lead the world to a higher and better 
life, becomes darkness. There is no 
power, light or influence, in either the 
dance, the theatre, the wine-cup; in 
billiards, cards, or the race-course, to 
make any person lead a better life. 
There is nothing in any or all of these, 
to lead any soul out of sin into newness 
of life ; to draw any one from the way of 
death into the way of life. Practices or 
pleasures so wholly void of any moral 
or purifying influences, or impulses, and 
which so uniformly and completely 
dwarf the religious life, and which rob 
those who indulge in them of their 
influence and enjoyment, cannot pos- 
sibly afford proper amusement or 
recreation for the children of God, 
either young or old. 

~No one was ever saved from sin, or 
reformed in life, by church members 

93 



^8 - — : 

THE PLEASURES OF SIJS T . 

dancing, playing cards and billiards, 
going to the theatre, or by drinking 
liquor; but multitudes, by them, are 
influenced to evil, and led to dissipation, 
to crime, and to hell! 

In the eager pursuit of present 
pleasures, it is very easy to forget that 
the present life is to be one of sacrifices 
and self-denials to those who follow 
Christ. This is so, for the reason that 
it is better for both Christians and for 
others. Upon being received into the 
Church, members publicly accept Christ 
as their pattern and guide. In this 
they take the vow of separation from 
the world. This has its restraining 
influence upon the pleasures of sin, as 
truly as upon other things that are 
sinful. The promised reward of an 
eternal life of unalloyed pleasure is 
future, and is to be entered upon after 

94 






"Si© 




THE PLEASURES OF SIX. 

the trials and self-denials of the present 
life are ended. The self-denials of fol- 
lowing Christ embrace many things 
that would afford Christians the same 
kind of pleasures they do the irre- 
ligious. Such things are to be avoided; 
not because there is no pleasure 
in them, but because the pleasure is 
sinful, and destroys Christian character 
and influence. These things cannot 
be too well understood, and too 
constantly remembered by all young: 
Christians. They need to watch, and to 
be on their guard against the tempta- 
tions and snares of the enemy. The 
exhortation is, to " watch and be sober." 
Present and carnal pleasure, preferred 
to self-denial and following Christ, leads 
to certain endless misery. This is as 
true of the young as of the old, and 
young Christians must resist the tempta- 

95 





ft 



THE PLEASUEES OF SIN. 

tion to sinful indulgence, and avoid it 
as truly as must the old. 

These things show the difference 
between the two classes — between those 
who are true church members and those 
who are not — to be almost infinite. The 
difference, however, in both character 
and pursuits, is no greater than God 
himself has made it, and revealed it in 
his Word. This difference, in character 
and life, in desires and purposes, 
however great, must exist here, and be 
maintained during this present life, and 
be made manifest in the pleasures and 
pursuits of the present time. It is as 
absolutely necessary to maintain relig- 
ious character and deportment in 
pleasures and recreations, as in business 
and acts of worship. The difference 
between the Church and the world must 
be as marked, and well defined in social 

96 






THE PLEASURES OF SIN. 

amusements, as in any of the walks of 
life. There is, indeed, greater need of 
vigilance in the things which the enemy 
presents as so nearly harmless, and so 
congenial to the natural desires and 
feelings. By these illusive pleasures of 
sin, more church members are deceived 
and their influence and happiness de- 
stroyed, than by business, or the greater 
sins of theft, adultery, murder, etc. 

This view of the Christian course by 
no means makes religion "pale and 
bilious," gloomy and repulsive, as some 
are so ready to represent it. It does 
not make the Christian life any more 
cheerless than the Saviour himself made 
it, and presents it to all who accept it 
of him. The Saviour was as earnest in 
warning his followers against being 
conformed to the world in the pleasures 
of sin, as against what are generally 

97 




<D 



THE PLEASURES OF SIX. 





regarded as the greater sins and vices 
of society. The Christian finds in the 
duties of religion, which are consistent 
with his profession of the renunciation 
of the world, in avoiding "the appear- 
ance of evil/' pleasures inexpressibly 
purer and higher — joys which the world 
has not, and which it can " neither give 
nor take away." These grow in num- 
bers and intensity with the advance in 
the Christian life, but those of the 
world decrease as age comes on. There 
is absolutely no Christian pleasure or 
enjoyment in either the dance, the 
theatre, card-playing, or the wine-cup; 
but, sooner or later, there is sorrow 
and anguish to every one who indulges 
in them. No one need be deceived in 
this particular, for to all who are not set 
to do evil, the evidence is overwhelm- 
ing. Indulgence in these things yields 

98 






THE PLEASURES OF SIN. 

nothing good. JNfo member of the 
Church, young or old, can engage in 
them without loss of religious influence 
and enjoyment, and personal self-respect, 
more valuable than all worldly pleas- 
ures. There is no good in them 
anywhere, or upon any occasion. There 
is no safety from their evil influence, 
but in total abstinence. 

It is a first duty of parents and 
religious teachers to inform and guard 
their children and young Christians 
against temptations which appear in the 
garb of innocence, as do all of the pleas- 
ures of sin. It is of the utmost impor- 
tance to young Christians themselves, 
and also to the cause of Christ, that they 
establish and maintain a proper religious 
character while young. Starting right 
is as important and necessary in the 
religious life as in business life. Those 

99 





m 



THE PLEASURES OF SIN. 





who start wrong in the Christian course, 
will be a thousand times more likely 
to continue and end in error. This 
will leave them but little pleasure and 
peace of mind, and will rob them of 
their Christian influence, destroy their 
usefulness, and in their last hours, if 
not before, will bring darkness and 
sorrow. 

It does not come within the design 
of this little book to speak in detail 
of the character of these amusements. 
They are to be known by what they 
produce in those who indulge in them 
— "by their fruits ye shall know them." 
Take all those named, the theatre, 
dance, card-playing, billiards, and the 
wine-cup, and, almost without excep- 
tion, the voice of the Christian world 
is against them. General Assemblies, 
Conferences, and the various courts of 

100 




-35© 




THE PLEASURES OF SIX. 

all Churches, have condemned them, 
and declared their influence to be such 
that Christians cannot indulge in them 
without damage to their own standing, 
and to the cause of religion. Such facts 
ought to have great weight upon all, 
for the unanimous voice of the Churches 
is more likely to be right, than the 
opinions of individuals seeking gratifi- 
cation. It is well known that the 
church members who are the most 
worldly in their lives, and the least 
like Christ, encourage these amusements, 
and indulge in them most. The most 
earnest, devoted, and successful Chris- 
tian workers, old and young, in all 
Churches, believe them evil in their 
influence, and do not engage in them, 
nor encourage others to do so. There is 
a reason for this, and it must be obvious 
to all who are not blinded by the desire 

101 






THE PLEASUEES OF SIIST. 

to engage in them, or in some way to be 
profited by them. All experience shows 
that indulgence in these things, weakens 
the religious interest, and dwarfs the 
spiritual life and enjoyment. No true 
Christian can be found who believes 
there is any spiritual exercise or benefit 
in these pleasures of the world, but 
multitudes of men and women are led 
to disgrace and ruin by them. Millions 
of the best men and women, of this and 
other ages, unite in declaring them evil, 
and only evil, in their influence, and to 
be shunned by all who would honor 
God by a consistent Christian life. 

It must be the desire and purpose of 
true Christians to maintain a good pro- 
fession before the world. The covenant 
embraces their example and personal 
influence, by which they will seek to 
help and persuade others to a better 

102 






I 



THE PLEASURES OF SIX. 

life. But this will not be the reward 
of those church members found in the 
ball-room and theatre, or with cards or 
the wine-cup in their hands. They run 
into temptation, and lead others with 
them, and both suffer together. There is 
absolute safety in keeping out of temp- 
tation, but to do this, the places where 
these things are done must be shunned. 
It is absolutely certain that those who 
are never found where these things are 
done, will never be tempted and over- 
come by them. This is safety, and all 
can have it who sincerely desire it. 
The probability is, that those who 
habitually go where these things are 
done, will yield to the temptation. 

It is, perhaps, impossible for all 
Christians to always avoid such occa- 
sions and places; but when this is so, 
they must have the courage to refuse 

103 








THE PLEASURES OF SIN. 

to join in them, as they will always 
be urged to do. Those church members 
who are most under the influence of 
the world, will, as a rule, importune 
others to join them. Christians must 
have some self-respect, and be inde- 
pendent enough to say no, when 
asked to do anything that will com- 
promise them with the world. God 
does not require any one to sac- 
rifice character and self-respect, but 
the devil does. Those who think 
less of Christians for refusing to 
do anything that will in any degree 
damage their character or the cause of 
Christ, are neither true friends nor 
proper associates. Those who do wrong, 
will lose the respect of those who in- 
duce them to do it. The wicked 
respect most those who respect them- 
selves, and stand by their principles. 

104 ^ 



f 



{PO ' 

THE PLEASURES OF SIN. 

Those who never indulge in these 
things, will neither be injured by them, 
nor lead others into them. Those who 
are led away and destroyed by these 
sinful amusements, and who lead others 
into them, are those who learn them 
and indulge in them. Safety in all of 
these things, is found in keeping out 
of the way of temptation, and in 
refusing to be led into it by others. 
Christians, young and old, have every 
thing to gain by standing to their 
principles, and maintaining their integ- 
rity, and they lose everything by 
abandoning them for any earthly 
consideration. 

Young people influence each other 
much more than do those of maturer 
years. They are freer in their inter- 
course, and more impulsive, and they 
are more apt to follow each other. 

I 105 

(§§<s e@a 




THE PLEASURES OF SD\ T . 





Young church members ought to have 
influence over their young associates, 
and find delight in winning them to a 
better life. This they cannot do by 
joining them in their sinful practices 
and pleasures, but by showing them 
that religion gives something that is 
higher and better. Many are deceived 
by the idea that by joining others in 
their evil practices, they can win them 
to a better way. This is doing evil, 
that good may come. The idea is 
false and pernicious. Christians always 
suffer when they compromise with sin. 
They are separated from the world, 
and are to win the world to Christ, by 
showing that they have something 
better than the world has. The com- 
mon plea, that a strict adherence to 
Christian principles will make the 
impression that religion is hard and 

106 





THE PLEASURES OF SIX. 

void of pleasure, and that it is better 
to join the wicked in their pleasures, 
so as to have influence over them, is 
false and deceptive. If it is true of 
the young, it must also be of the old; 
and if true of one thing, it must be of 
another. Instead of gaining power by 
joining the world, Christians surrender 
what they have, and are regarded as 
hypocritical and weak in principle. 
JSTo one would think of winning others 
to a proper observance of the Sabbath, 
by joining them in violating it. JSTo 
one would think of inducing associates 
to quit the use of profane language, 
by occasionally joining them in the 
use of it. Why then be deceived with 
the equally absurd idea of winning 
others from their sinful pleasures, by 
occasionally meeting them at the 
theatre, saloon, or card-table? The 

107 

3*5* 






-e©g 



THE PLEASURES OF SIN. 




Christian has no power but what he 
gains by standing firmly by his 
Christian principles. When Christ is 
forsaken, all power for good over the 
world is gone. The Saviour said: 
" Without me ye can do nothing," and 
his help cannot be secured by forsaking 
him. 

The theatre, dance, cards, and wine- 
cup, have been mentioned, because they 
are the chief sources of pleasure to 
what are called the more respectable 
or fashionable part of the irreligious 
community. It is on this account that 
they become so much more dangerous 
to church members, than other pleasures 
not regarded so respectable. One may 
be a very honorable and moral person, 
and not be a Christian. Many church 
members are of this class. Those, 
however, who would enjoy the higher, 

108 






THE PLEASURES OF SIN. 

purer pleasures of a life in Christ, and 
have influence to help others to gain it, 
must avoid the practices which are so 
purely of the world, and which uni- 
formly destroy the Christian influence 
of those who indulge in them. Re- 
spectable, fashionable people live in 
sin as truly as those who may not 
have such high standing in society. 
Christians, which all church members 
ought to be, are, by their profession 
of faith in Christ, separated from the 
world, and conformity to the world is 
forbidden in unmistakable terms. 

The Christian needs to study care- 
fully this marked difference between 
the Church and the world, between the 
lovers of pleasure and the lovers of 
God. Irreligious persons have no 
pleasure in the duties of religion, or 
in communion with God. Hence, all 

109 






eF 



THE PLEASURES OF SIN. 

the pleasure they have, or hope for, 
is in the things of the present time. 
They have nothing beyond what this 
present life affords. The greatest joy 
and comfort of Christians is in the 
fact that in Christ they have a hope 
of a better world, and of unending 
pleasures — pleasures infinitely higher 
than the pleasures of sin. To get the 
full benefit of these great truths, and 
to have the life brought under their 
influence, they must be well kept in 
mind. The greater good and purer 
pleasure which a life in Christ assures, 
must be weighed in the balance with 
the short-lived and illusive gratifica- 
tions of the flesh. 

These are things which young Chris- 
tians have to learn, and many learn 
slowly. The design of this little book 
is to help all who read it to avoid the 

no 





THE PLEASUKES OF SIX. 

influences which have robbed so many 
of their usefulness and happiness. All 
who have started in this course, should 
"so run that they may obtain." All 
should make it an invariable rule to 
be on the side of safety, when there is 
any danger to Christian character and 
spiritual comfort. All worldly pleasures 
combined, are not comparable with 
those which may be found all along the 
way of Christian self-denial, and espe- 
cially at the close, by those who give 
up the world for Christ, and follow him. 
" Be not deceived. ' ' 





111 





How precious is the book divine, 

By inspiration given! 
Bright as a lamp its doctrines shine, 

To guide our souls to heaven. 

O'er all the strait and narrow way 

Its radiant beams are cast; 
A light whose never weary ray 

Grows brightest at the last. 

It sweetly cheers our drooping hearts, 

In this dark vale of tears; 
Life, light, and joy it still imparts, 

And quells our rising fears. 

This lamp, through all the tedious night 

Of life shall guide our way, 
Till we behold the clearer light 

Of an eternal day. 




3©3- 





THE DOCTRINES. 

Jesus said: " If any man will do his 
will, lie shall know of the doctrine." 
Paul, in charging Timothy to preach 
the word, said: "The time will come 
when they will not endure sound doc- 
trine; but after their own lusts shall 
they heap to themselves teachers, having 
itching ears; and they shall turn away 
their ears from the truth, and shall be 
turned unto fables." The doctrines of 
the Cross have always been an offense to 
the world, and the enemies of the Bible 
and Christianitv cry out against teach- 
ing and preaching them. The senti- 
ment is quite common, that it does not 
make much difference what one believes, 

115 






THE DOCTKINES. 

provided he is sincere. This is a serious 
error, for the Saviour says: "Ye shall 
know the truth, and the truth shall 
make you free." There is no safety 
in error, " Because Grod hath from the 
beginning chosen you to salvation 
through sanctification of the Spirit and 
belief of the truth." 

The doctrines of the Bible are, by 
many, supposed to be so profound and 
mysterious that only ministers and well 
educated people can understand them. 
This is a great mistake, for "All Scrip- 
ture is given by inspiration of God, and 
is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, 
for correction, for instruction in right- 
eousness." It could not be thus if too 
profound to be understood. 

The Bible, above all others, is the 
book of doctrines; and all who would 
live the Christian life must give atten- 

116 






THE DOCTKINES. 

tion to them. The Bible was not given 
to the great and wise, but to the people 
of all classes and conditions. The great 
majority of the race is in ignorance, and 
if the Bible were so hard to understand, 
as many seem to think, it could be of 
no benefit to them. To show, not only 
how important its doctrines are, but also 
that they can be comprehended by the 
young and unlearned, a few of the more 
prominent and important are here given : 

OF GOD. 

The Bible clearly teaches the doctrine 
of one God, not of many gods, as the 
heathen imagine. It says: "Hear, 
Israel; the Lord our God is one Lord"; 
"God is a spirit, and they that worship 
him must worship him in spirit and in 
truth." This plainly declares the exist- 
ence of God; that he was not made of 

117 






THE DOCTRINES. 

wood or stone, like the gods which the 
heathen make; that he is a spiritual, 
intelligent being, to be worshiped in 
spirit, heart, and mind, "For he that 
cometh to God must believe that he is, 
and that he is a re warder of them that 
diligently seek him." 





THE CREATION. 

"In the beginning God created the 
heaven and the earth." "For by him 
were all things created, that are in 
heaven, and that are in earth, . . . 
all things were created by him and for 
him." "Through faith we understand 
that the worlds were framed by the 
word of God, so that things which are 
seen were not made of things which do 
appear." This is the Bible doctrine of 
the creation of all things, making plain 
to the commonest mind that God gave 

113 





THE DOCTBIXES. 

them existence, and that they did not 
create themselves, or come into being by 
chance. 

PKOVIDEXCE. 

Having created the heaven and the 
earth, and man and animals, the Bible 
shows that God has a care over them, 
and upholds "all things by the word 
of his power." "For the eyes of the 
Lord run to and fro throughout the 
whole earth, to show himself strong in 
the behalf of them whose heart is 
perfect towards him." "Are not two 
sparrows sold for a farthing? and one 
of them shall not fall on the ground 
without your Father. But the very 
hairs of your head are all numbered. 
Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more 
value than many sparrows." "And we 
know that all things work together for 

119 





THE DOCTKINES. 



good to them that love God." For, "If 
God be for us, who can be against us." 
This is one of the most precious doc- 
trines of the Bible. 

SIN AND ITS PUNISHMENT. 

"Lo, this only have I found, that God 
hath made man upright; but they have 
sought out many inventions." "For all 
have sinned and come short of the 
glory of God." "For out of the heart 
proceed evil thoughts, murders, adul- 
teries, fornications, thefts, false witness, 
blasphemies." This doctrine of sin is a 
terrible one, it is true, but it takes no 
great learning or ability to know it. 
The Bible plainly teaches that sin will 
be punished. "Wherefore, as by one 
man sin entered into the world, and 
death by sin; and so death passed upon 
all men, for that all have sinned." 

129 








THE DOCTRINES. 

"Cursed is every one that continuetli not 
in all things which are written in the 
book of the law to do them." "Then 
shall he say also unto them on the left 
hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into 
everlasting fire, prepared for the devil 
and his angels." "Who shall be pun- 
ished with everlasting destruction from 
the presence of the Lord, and from the 
glory of his power." 

THE ATONEMENT. 

Being born in sin, as the Script- 
ures declare, and exposed to eternal 
death and misery, all must be deeply 
interested in knowing whether there is 
any means of deliverance. This provi- 
sion for the salvation of sinners, made 
by the suffering and death of Christ, is 
called the atonement. The Bible there- 
fore says: "God so loved the world, 

121 







THE DOCTEINES. 

that he gave his only begotten Son, 
that whosoever believeth in him should 
not perish, but have everlasting life." 
"And he is the propitiation for our sins; 
and not for ours only, but also for the 
sins of the whole world." "And he 
said, Go ye into all the world, and 
preach the gospel to every creature. 
He that believeth and is baptized shall 
be saved ; but he that believeth not shall 
be damned." 

KEPENTANCE. 

Seeing what a terrible thing sin is, 
and the great necessity for escaping 
from its evils, leads to the doctrine of 
repentance — turning from sin to Christ. 
The Bible language is: "Let the wicked 
forsake his way, and the unrighteous 
man his thoughts; and let him return 
unto the Lord, and he will have mercy 

122 






THE DOCTKINES. 

upon him; and to our God, for he 
will abundantly pardon." "Repent ye 
therefore, and be converted; that your 
sins may be blotted out." "Joy shall 
be in heaven over one sinner that 
repenteth." 

or FAITH. 

"By grace are ye saved through 
faith." "Faith cometh by hearing, and 
hearing by the word of God." "The 
just shall live by faith." "For we 
walk by faith, not by sight." "He 
that believeth on him is not con- 
demned: but he that believeth not is 
condemned already, because he hath 
not believed in the name of the only 
begotten son of God." "Therefore 
being justified by faith, we have peace 
with God through our Lord Jesus 
Christ." "Therefore we conclude that 

123 



§ 



3> 





again. 



LOVE. 

"God is love." "For Grod so loved 
the world, that he gave his only be- 
gotten Son, that whosoever believeth in 
him should not perish, but have ever- 

124 



n 



-e© 



THE DOCTRINES. 

a man is justified by faith without the 
deeds of the law." "For in Jesus 
Christ neither circumcision availeth 
any thing, nor uncircumcision ; but faith 
which worketh by love." 

OF REGENERATION. 

"A new heart also will I give you, 
and a new spirit will I put within 
vou." "Jesus answered and said unto 
him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, 
except a man be born again, he cannot 
see the kingdom of God. Marvel not 
that I said unto thee, ye must be born 



i 





m 

THE DOCTRINES. 

lasting life." This shows the great 
interest God felt in man. Such a mani- 
ifestation of love for sinners claims their 
love for him in return. "He that loveth 
not, knoweth not Grod." "A new com- 
mandment I give unto you, That ye also 
love one another; as I have loved you, 
that ye also love another." "Let 
nothing be done through strife or vain 
glory; but in lowliness of mind, let 
each esteem other better than them- 
selves." "Therefore all things whatso- 
ever ye would that men should do to 
you, do ye even so to them." 

THE SABBATH. 

"And Grod blessed the seventh day, 
and sanctified it." "Remember the 
Sabbath day to keep it holy. Six days 
shalt thou labor, and do all thy work; 
but the seventh day is the Sabbath of 

125 





THE DOCTRINES. 

the Lord thy God; in it thou shalt 
not do any work; thou, nor thy son, 
nor thy daughter, thy man-servant, nor 
thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle." 

THE CHURCH. 

The Church is made up of all those 
throughout the world who believe in 
and serve Christ. These the Scriptures 
speak of and represent as a human 
body, with Jesus as the head. "And 
he is the head of the body, the 
Church." "And hath put all things 
under his feet, and gave him to be the 
head over all things to the Church, 
which is his body." "For as the body 
is one, and hath many members, and all 
the members of that one body, being 
many, are one body; so also is Christ. 
For by one Spirit are we all baptized 
into one body." "Upon this rock I 

126 




€^£ 




THE' DOCTRINES. 




will build my Church, and the gates of 
hell shall not prevail against it." 




OF DEATH. 

"Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt 
thou return." "Whatsoever thy hand 
findeth to do, do it with thy might; 
for there is no work, nor device, nor 
knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave 
whither thou goest." "Then shall the 
dust return to the earth as it was; and 
the spirit shall return unto God who 
gave it." 

THE RESURRECTION. 

Although all die and go down into 
the grave, the Bible teaches the doc- 
trine of a resurrection of the dead. 
"Marvel not at this; for the hour is 
coming, in the which all that are in 
the graves shall hear his voice, and 

127 






THE DOCTKINES. 

shall come forth, they that have clone 
good unto the resurrection of life; and 
they that have done evil unto the 
resurrection of damnation." "For if 
the dead rise not, then is not Christ 
raised: and if Christ be not raised, 
your faith is vain; ye are yet in your 
sins. . . . But now is Christ risen 
from the dead, and become the first- 
fruits of them that slept. For since 
by man came death, by man came also 
the resurrection of the dead." 

THE JUDGMENT. 

"He hath appointed a day, in the 
which he will judge the world in 
righteousness." "For we must all 
appear before the judgment seat of 
Christ; that every one may receive 
the things done in Ms body, according 
to that he hath done, whether it be 

128 






THE DOCTRINES. 

c;ood or bad." "And the angels which 
kept not their first estate, but left their 
own habitation, he hath reserved in 
everlasting chains under darkness unto 
the judgment of the great day." 

These are some of the great doc- 
trines of the Bible, set forth by a 
few brief passages. They need to be 
studied, for they are essential. Both 
old and young, learned and ignorant, 
must know them, and be governed by 
them in their lives. The fact that 
they cannot be fully understood in all 
their bearings does not set aside their 
claims, or render them unnecessary. 
Food, as all know, is necessary to the 
preservation of life, but there is much 
about what is eaten that the wisest 
cannot understand or explain. No one 
understands how the grain grows out 
of which bread is made; or how, when 

129 







THE DOCTRINES. 

eaten, it sustains and builds up the 
body, but all know that bread is nec- 
essary, and how to eat it. Clothing, 
also, is needful, but who knows how the 
wool, the silk, and the cotton are 
produced? All, however, know and 
understand enough of these things to 
use them and be benefited by them. 
It is similar with these great doctrines 
of the Bible. There may be much 
connected with them that human wis- 
dom cannot understand, still they are 
necessary to the salvation and happi- 
ness of every one, and enough may be 
learned to control the life, and lead all 
who obey them into the ways of pleas- 
antness and the paths of peace. They 
are not, therefore, to be regarded as 
the heavy iron yoke which some seem 
to think them. The language of Jesus 
is: "Come unto me, all ye that labor 

130 



*s@- 



THE .DOCTRINES. 




and are heavy laden, and I will give 
you rest. Take my yoke upon you, 
and learn of me; for I am meek and 
lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest 
unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, 
and my burden is light." 



8& 



131 






My soDg shall be of Jesus, 

When, sitting at his feet, 
I call to mind his goodness, 

In meditation sweet; 
My sone; shall be of Jesus, 

Whatever ill betide; 
I'll sing the grace that saves me, 

And keeps me at his side. 

My song shall be of Jesus, 

While pressing on my way 
To reach the blissful region 

Of pure and perfect day. 
And when my soul shall enter 

The gate of Eden fair, 
A song of praise to Jesus 

I'll sins: forever there. 










LIFE IN THE HYMNS. 




" Singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord." 

Among the most important helps of 
the Christian are the hymns of the 
Church. Very few, however, derive 
the light, strength, and comfort from 
the hymns which they might. It is a 
mistake to conclude that they are of no 
value unless sung, or only when used 
in church. They can be read and 
studied when they cannot be sung. 

To illustrate the value of hymns, 
and the religious sentiment in poetry, 
this chapter is made up of selections 
from various sources, giving different 
phases of Christian life and sentiment. 
Some of these, and many more just as 

135 




fe{9~ 



-e& 



LIFE IN THE HYMNS. 




IS 



good, can be found in almost any 
hymn-book. 

Poetry is easily memorized, and it 
would not require great labor or much 
time to commit every verse in this 
book. Those who will carefully study 
these selections, will see what a rich 
store of true sentiment they contain. 
Hymns or verses committed to memory 
can be sung or repeated any where, and 
upon any occasion. When but a little 
boy at school, the writer was required 
by the " master" to commit as "a task," 
these stanzas : 

From all that dwell below the skies, 
Let the Creator's praise arise; 
Let the Redeemer's name be sung 
Through every land, by every tongue. 

Eternal are thy mercies, Lord; 

Eternal truth attends thy word; 

Thy praise shall sound from shore to shore, 

Till suns shall rise and set no more. 

136 





LIFE IN THE HYMXS. 





He has never forgotten these words, 
nor outgrown their influence. 

Theodore Monod, an eminent minister 
in France, wrote the following, which 
so beautifully shows the different stages 
of feeling and stru^o-ling through which 
the soul passes in being transformed 
from the selfish, sinful state, into the 
image and likeness of Christ: 

O the bitter shame and sorrow 

That a time could ever be 
When I let the Saviour's pity 
Plead in vain, and proudly answered : 

11 All of self, and none of Thee I" 

Yet he found me. I beheld him 

Bleeding on the accursed tree, 
Heard him pray, "Forgive them, Father!" 
And my wistful heart said faintly : 

"Some of self and some of Tliee" 

Day by day his tender mercy, 

Healing, helping, full, and free, 
Sweet and strong, and ah! so patient, 
Brought me lower, while I whispered: 

" Less of self and more of Thee." 

137 






LIFE IN THE HYMNS. 

Higher than the highest heavens, 

Deeper than the deepest sea, 
Lord, thy love at last hath conquered; 
Grant me now my soul's desire — 

"None of self, and all of Thee." 

The Christian, wearied with the 
troubles and anxieties of life, as all 
sometimes become, cannot fail to gain 
new strength and courage from Steele's 
hymn: 

Dear refuge of my weary soul, 

On thee, when sorrows rise, 
On thee, when waves of trouble roll. 

My fainting hope relies. 

To thee I tell each rising grief, 

For thou alone canst heal ; 
Thy word can bring a sweet relief 

For every pain I feel. 

But O ! when gloomy doubts prevail, 

I fear to call thee mine; 
The springs of comfort seem to fail, 

And all my hopes decline. 

Yet, gracious God, where shall I flee? 
Thou art my only trust; 

j 38 






LIFE IX THE HYMXS. 





And still my scul would cleave to thee, 
Though prostrate iu the dust. 

Thy mercy seat is open still, 

Here let my soul retreat; 
With humble hope attend thy will, 

And wait beneath thy feet. 

A more cheering and inspiriting 
sentiment runs through this "Song of 
Hope:" 

I hear it singing, singing sweetly, 

Softly in an undertone, 
Singing as if God had taught it, 

"It is better farther on ! " 

Night and day it sings the sonnet, 

Sings it while I sit alone, 
Sings it so my heart will hear it, 

"It is better farther on!" 

Sits upon the grave and siDgs it, 
Sings it when the heart would groan, 

Sings it when the shadows darken, 
"It is better farther on!" 

Farther on! How much farther? 

Count the mile-stones one by one. 
Xo; no counting — only trusting 

"It is better farther on!" 

139 






LIFE IN THE HYMNS. 

What Christ, in \arious relations, 
becomes to those who trust him, and 
the Christian's dependence upon him 
for help in meeting daily trials and 
temptations, is shown by Dr. Bonar 
in the beautiful hymn, 

CHRIST MY ALL. 

In the hour when guilt assails me, 

And my long, long sins appall, 
Then I haste to the Forgiver, — 

On his gracious name I call. 
There I find the heavenly fullness, — 

Christ my righteousness, my all! 
There I find divine completeness, — 

Christ my cleanser, Christ my all! 

In the day when earth attracts me, 

When its pleasures would enthrall, 
When its loveliness would blind me. 

And to creature-love recall; 
Then I turn to brighter beauty, — 

Christ my glory, and my all! 
Then I turn to fairer splendor, — 

Christ my treasure, and my all! 

In the night when sorrow clouds me, 
And the burning tear-drops fall, 

140 










LIFE IX THE HYMNS. 

Then I look for One to wipe them, — 
On his changeless name I call. 

Then I sing the song of patience, 
Christ my brother, and my all! 

And I rest upon his bosom, — 
Christ my solace, and my all! 

In the day when sickness weakens, 

And life's solemn shadows fall, 
And the deathbed curtains warn me 

Of my coming funeral; 
Then I think of resurrection, — 

Christ my life, my health, my all! 
Then I think of in corruption, — 

Christ my everlasting all! 

In the land of promised glory, 

In the day of festival, 
Day of marriage and of triumph, 

In the angel-crowded hall; 
This shall ever be my burden, — 

Christ my glory, and my all ! 
This shall ever be my anthem, — 

Christ my bridegroom, and my all ! 

The difference between what we en- 
dure for Christ and what he bore for 
us; and also the light, joy, and crown 

141 





¥p@- 



LIFE I1S T THE HYMNS. 




which the Cross secures to those who 
bear it, are beautifully outlined by 
Stockton in 

THE HALLOWED CROSS. 

The cross! the cross! the blood-stain'd cross! 

The hallow'd cross I see ! 
Reminding me of precious blood, 

That once was shed for me. 

The cross! the cross! that heavy cross, 

My Saviour bore for me, 
Which bow'd him to the earth with grief, 

On sad Mount Calvary. 

How light! how light! this precious cross, 

Presented to my view; 
And while, with care, I take it up, 

Behold the crown my due. 

The crown! the crown! the glorious crown! 

The crown of victory! 
The crown of life! it shall be mine! 

When I shall Jesus see. 

My tears, unbidden, seem to flow 

For love, unbounded love, 
Whi^.h guides me through this world of woe, 

And points to joys above. 

142 





LIFE IX THE HYMNS. 




A similar 
Hall's 



thought 



runs 



through 




ALL TO CHRIST I OWE. 

I hear the Saviour say, 
Thy strength indeed is small; 

Child of weakness, watch and pray, 
Find in me thine all in all 

Then down beneath his cross 

I'll lay my sin-sick soul; 
For naught have I to bring, 

Thy grace must make me whole. 

When from my dying bed 

My ransomed soul shall rise, 
Then " Jesus paid it all" 

Shall rend the vaulted skies. 

And when before the throne 

I stand in him complete, 
I'll lay my trophies down, 

All down at Jesus' feet. 

Jesus paid it all. 

All to him I owe; 
Sin had left a crimson staiu ; 

He washed it white as snow. 

The comfort and repose which faith 

143 





LIFE m THE HYMNS. 

inspires, and the consolation that comes 
from the assurance that Jesus is an 
ever present Saviour, are strongly im- 
pressed by these hymns: 

"My times are in thy hand:" 

My God ! I wish them there ; 
My life, my friends, my soul, I leave 

Entirely to thy care. 

"My times are in thy hand," 

Whatever they may be; 
Pleasing or painful, dark or bright, 

As best may seem to thee. 

"My times are in. thy hand" — 

Why should I doubt or fear? 
My Father's hand will never cause 

His child a needless tear. 

"My times are in thy hand" — 

Jesus the crucified! 
The hand my cruel sins had pierced, 

Is now my guard and guide. 




Always with us, always with us— 
Words of cheer and words of love; 

Thus the risen Saviour whispers, 
From his dwelling place above. 

144 






LIFE IN THE HYMNS. 

With us when we toil in sadness, 
Sowing much and reaping none; 

Telling us that in the future 
Golden harvests shall be won. 

With us when the storm is sweeping 
O'er our pathway dark and drear; 

Waking hope within our bosoms, 
Stilling every anxious fear. 

With us in the lonely valley, 
When we cross the chilling stream; 

Lighting up the steps to glory 
With salvation's radiant beam. 

This hymn, by Edgar Page, used 
by Mr. Sankey, expresses the trust 
which all should seek to have: 

Simply trusting every day, 

Trusting thro' a stormy way; 
Even when my faith is small, 

Trusting Jesus, that is all. 

Brightly doth his Spirit shine 

Into this poor heart of mine; 
While he leads I cannot fall, 

Trusting Jesus, that is all. 

Singing, if my way is clear; 
Praying, if the path is drear; 

145 







LIFE IN THE HYMNS. 

If in danger, for him call; 
Trusting Jesus, that is all. 

Trusting him while life shall last, 
Trusting him till earth is past; 

Till within the jasper wall, 
Trusting Jesus, that is all. 

P. P. Bliss, in the following beau- 
tiful little hymn, shows how the Chris- 
tian's joy grows in the heart, by be- 
ing repeated in the mind: 

Repeat the story o'er and o'er, 

Of grace so full and free; 
I love to hear it more and more, 

Since grace has rescued me. 

Of 'peace I only knew the name, 

Nor found my soul its rest, 
Until the sweet-voiced angel came 

To soothe my weary breast. 

My highest place is lying low 

At my Redemeer's feet; 
No real joy in life I know, 

But in his service sweet. 

And, oh, what rapture will it be 
With all the host above, 

146 





$ 




LIFE • I]S T THE HYMNS. 

To sing through all eternity 
The wonders of his love. 

Dependence upon the Lord for grace 
to help and guide in daily duties, is 
strongly presented in a hymn by Mrs. 
Annie S. Hawes : 

O Lord, 'tis not enough 

That thou dost point the way, 
But in it thou must plant my feet, 

And guide me day by day; 
Thy truth doth make it plain, 

Thro' thy blest Comforter, — 
So very plain that my poor heart 

May neither doubt nor err. 

It is the narrow way, 

Cast up for all thy saints, 
Which brightens unto perfect day, — 

And yet my spirit faints; 
So oft I turn aside 

For some delusive joy, 
Or wander farther still from thee 

When trifling fears annoy. 

Sometimes my doubting soul 
Turns all her gaze within, 

147 







LIFE IN THE HYMNS. 

And, thoughtless both of cross and crown, 

Falls into some new sin; 
Tis not enough, O Lord, 

That thou dost point the way; 
I pray thee, plant my feet therein, 

And keep them day by day. 

Many hymns are prayers and tend 
to cultivate the spirit of devotion in 
the minds of those who repeat them 
and meditate upon them. Only an 
illustration or two can be given here, 
but the hymn books abound with them. 

Saviour! teach me, day by day, 
Love's sweet lesson to obey; 
Sweeter lesson cannot be, 
Loving him who first loved me. 

With a childlike heart of love, 
At thy bidding may I move; 
Prompt to serve and follow thee, 
Loving him who first loved me. 

Teach me all thy steps to trace, 
Strong to follow in thy grace; 
Learning how to love from thee, 
Loving him who first loved me. 

148 





LIFE IX THE HYMNS. 




Love in loving finds employ — 
In obedience all her joy; 
Ever new that joy will be, 
Loving him who first loved me. 

Thus may I rejoice to show 
That I feel the love I owe; 
Singing, till thy face I see, 
Of his love who first loved me. 




What a friend we have in Jesus, 

All our sins and griefs to bear; 
What a privilege to carry 

Everything to God in prayer. 
Oh, what peace we often forfeit, 

Oh, what needless pain we bear — 
All because we do not carry 

Everything to God in prayer. 

Have we trials and temptations? 

Is there trouble anywhere? 
We should never be discouraged, 

Take it to the Lord in prayer. 
Can we find a friend so faithful, 

Who will all our sorrows share? 
Jesus knows our every weakness, 

Take it to the Lord in prayer. 

Are we weak and heavy-laden, 
'Cumbered with a load of care? 

149 






LIFE IN THE HYMNS. 

Precious Saviour, still our refuge, 
Take it to the Lord in prayer. 

Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? 
Take it to the Lord in prayer; 

In his arms he'll take and shield thee; 
Thou wilt find a solace there. 

As an evening prayer, showing re- 
sponsibility for the hours of the day 
and their improvement, the following 
is good : 

My Father! God of life and light, 
Ere evening's hour hath ebb'd away, 

Before thy throne of grace to-night 
I offer up this closing day. 

Fresh from thy hand, this morn it rose 

Divinely fair, sublimely meet; 
I bring it back at evening's close, 

Alas! how changed, how incomplete! 

One plea alone my heart can claim 
For such a tribute, soil'd and dim; 

I offer it in Jesus' name, 

Make thou its darkuess light in him. 

I bring thee all this day hath brought, 
Its storms and sunshine, joy and pain ; 

150 




-Gift 






LIFE IN THE HYMNS. 

Its every word and deed and thought; 
Its hope and fear, its loss and gain. 

I bring to thee, to purify, 

Its few faint thoughts of thee and heaven ; 
I bring thee all its tears to dry, 

And all its sins to be forgiven. 

And now, O Lord my God, or ere 

This day in sleep forgotten be, 
Its dying breath must rise in prayer, 

And bear my latest thought to thee ! 

On eyes that weep, on hearts that bleed, 
May all thy richest blessings fall; 

I ask thy help for all who need, 
And asking this, I pray for all. 

Thus, Lord, this night I yield to thee; 

Or if I sleep, or if I wake, 
Whate'er 1 have, whate'er I be, 

Bid me good-night for Jesus' sake. 

On a review of a real clay's work 
for Jesus, nothing could be more ex- 
pressive than this hymn. It is es- 
pecially suitable for ministers, but is 
adapted to all true workers. Mem- 
orized and repeated or sung, it will 

151 






LIFE IN THE HYMNS. 

stir and strengthen any heart trmy 
enlisted in the service of Christ. 

One more clay's work for Jesus, 

One less of life for me! 
But heaven is nearer, and Christ is dearer 
Than yesterday, to me; 

His love and light 

Fill all my soul to-night. 

One more day's work for Jesus; 

How sweet the work has been, 
To tell the story, to show the glory, 
Where Christ's flock enter in! 

How it did shine 

In this poor heart of mine! 

One more day's work for Jesus— 

Oh, yes, a weary day; 
But heaven shines clearer, and rest comes nearer, 
At each step of the way; 

And Christ in all — 

Before his face I fall. 

Oh, blessed work for Jesus! 
Oh, rest at Jesus' feet! 
There toil seems pleasure, my wants are treasure, 
And pain for him is sweet. 
Lord, if I may, 
I'll serve another day! 

152 






LIFE IX THE HYMNS. 

The compass of this little volume 
will not admit of anything more. 
Any earnest mind could soon commit 
all of the selections in this chapter. 
Those who will do so will be richly 
rewarded, for they will prove a 
strength and a delight to all. Look- 
ing over them, as was necessary in 
selecting them, filled our soul with 
that joy that is inexpressible! Dear 
Christian reader, will you not study 
these well, and so enjoy the rich store 
of truth and sentiment they contain? 

ROCK OF AGES. 

"Bock of Ages, cleft for me," 

Thoughtlessly the maiden sung; 
Fell the words unconsciously 

From her girlish, guileless tongue. 
Sang as little children sing; 

Sang as sing the birds in June; 
Fell the words like light leaves down 

On the current of the tune — 

153 






LIFE IN THE HYMNS. 





' 'Rock of Ages, cleft for me, 
Let me hide myself in thee." 

"Let me hide myself in thee." 

Felt her soul no need to hide; 
Sweet the song as song could be, 

And she had no thought beside. 
All the words unheedingly 

Fell from lips untouched by care, 
Dreaming not they each might be 

On some other lips a prayer — 
"Rock of Ages, cleft for me, 
Let me hide myself in thee." 

"Rock of Ages, cleft for me." 

T was a woman sung them now, 
Sung them slow and wearily — 

Wan hand on her aching brow. 
Rose the song as storm- tossed bird 

Beats with weary wing the air; 
Every note with sorrow stirred, 

Every syllable a prayer — 
"Rock of Ages, cleft for me, 
Let me hide myself in thee." 

"Rock of Ages, cleft for me." 

Li is grown aged sung the hymn, 

Trustingly and tenderly; 

Voice grown weak and eyes grown dim. 

154 





LIFE' IN THE HYMNS. 

" Let me hide myself in thee," 

Trembling though the voice and low, 
Ran the sweet strain peacefully, 

Like a river in its flow. 
Sung as only they can sing 

Who life's thorny paths have pressed ; 
Sung as only they, can siug 

Who behold the promised rest ; 
"Rock of Ages, cleft for me, 
Let me hide myself in thee." 

"Rock of Ages, cleft for me." 

Sung above a coffin-lid; 
Underneath, all restfully, 

All life's joys and sorrows hid. 
Nevermore, O storm-tossed soul! 

Nevermore from wind or tide; 
Nevermore from billows' roll 

Wilt thou ever need to hide. 
Could the sightless, sunken eyes, 

Closed beneath the soft gray hair; 
Could the mute and stiffened lips, 

Move again in pleading prayer, 
Still, aye still, the words would be, 
"Let me hide myself in Thee." 




155 



m- 





LIFE IN THE HYMNS. 







Praise the God of all creation, 

Praise the Father's boundless love: 
Praise the Lamb, our expiation, 

Priest and King enthroned above: 
Praise the Fountain of salvation, 

Him by whom our spirits live: 
Undivided adoration 

To the one Jehovah give. 




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